Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1887-12-01
BARNUM'S SHOW BURNED.

Destruction OF Barnum's Great Show BY
and Animals.
BRIDGxPoRT. Conn.,, Nov. 2L-The main
building OF Barnum & Bailey's greatest
show on earth was entirely destroyed by
fire last evening. About 1890 o'clock an
alarm was sounded. quickly followed by .
general alarm and thousands Of people
were drawn to the spot In less than thirty
minutes the big building, 60 by 30 feet and
two stories in height, was entlrely con.
sumed. The first intimation of the fire was
given by the roaring of the lions and tigers,
who seemed to realize the impending
danger. Next the elephants struggled
with their chains, but in an incredibly
short time the flames swept from one end
Of the structure to the other. There were
six watchmen employed on the premises
but they were helpless to check the
flames. One OF the men was in the
horse building when his lantern ex-
ploded, igniting the hay and straw. Five
Of the watchmen have reported, but one is
missing. The upper portion Of the building
was filled with hay and all the parapaer-
MALTA Of the great show, and before the first
alarm ceased sounding the whole building
was enveloped in fire and no one dared to
approach the building, being fearful Of the
crazed animals.
Three elephants were burned and thirty
six broke from their fastenings and dashed
through the sides Of the burning building.
Their roars aud trumpetings and sounds OF
torment were terrific Six elephants and
a large African hippopotalnus rushed
about the streets, presenting sick
ening appearance, their sides being burned
and great pieces OF flesh Il foot square
falling off. Thirty elephants and one largo
lion made their escape and started oil
across country toward Fairfield and East
on. Great alarm has seized many resi-
dents OF the west end and they have taken
refuge within their houses with windows
barred. William Newman, the elephant
trainer, is out of town and the keepers
were not able in the excitement to herd
the frightened animals. In the horse room
were all the ring animals, trained stations,
ponies, etc. These were all burned. In
tue upper rooms were the tents. poles,
seats, harness, etc, for the entire show
and these too were all destroyed. In the
main room were the birds, monkeys, three
rhinoceroses, hyenas, tigers, lions and all
the menagerie, which fell prey to the
flames
% rapid ull Inc HaIlcS leap ic"OSS inc
main building that the firemen made no at
tempt to save it, but turned their streams
upon the chariot buildings and car sheds,
which they succeeded in saving, but the
heat was SO intense that this was accom-
plIshed with great difficulty. The total
loss is estimated at S7O0,000. upon which
there was but 500 600 insurance. Before
the building went down BarDum's agents
were busy making arrangements for OBJ
tanning new lot of attractions to supply
the loss. Mr.. Brothwell, Barnum's Bridge
port agent, stated that the show building
would be rebuilt, but not in Bridgeport.
The great show would probably 60 to Jer-
sey City, where better railroad facilities
could be had.
One Of the watchmen declares that in
making his rounds he discovered the fire
and started to give the alarm, when some
unknown person hit him On the head with
Il blunt instrument telling him to the
ground and cutting number of severe
gashes in his head. He staggered to his
feet and gave the alarm. enabling the other
watchmen in the building. who were pre-
pairing for bed, to escape. One CT the three
elephants burned was the sacred white ele-
plant. The lion which the police attempt
ed to kill at the time the fire broke out
was afterward found IN q barn devourlng q
COW which he had killed He was shot